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Clover (band)

From Alfawiki
Clover
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1967 in Mill Valley, California, United States
Defunct1978
Headquarters
Mill Valley
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles

Clover was a country rock group originating from Mill Valley, California, active between 1967 and 1978. They gained recognition primarily as the backing band for Elvis Costello's 1977 debut album My Aim Is True, recorded in the United Kingdom. Additionally, several members went on to achieve prominence with acts such as Huey Lewis and the News, the Doobie Brothers, and Lucinda Williams.

History

Emerging from the Tiny Hearing Aid Company, Clover shifted their style from Bay Area psychedelic sounds to a country rock approach reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival. The original lineup, based in San Francisco, featured Alex Call on lead vocals and guitar, John McFee handling guitar and pedal steel, John Ciambotti on bass, and Mitch Howie playing drums. Their first album, self-titled Clover, was issued in 1970 through Fantasy Records, followed by Fourty Niner in 1971.

Upon moving to the UK, the band's roster underwent changes. By late 1976, Micky Shine had replaced Howie behind the drum kit; Huey Lewis (then known as Huey Louis) joined as an additional lead singer and harmonica player; Sean Hopper became their keyboardist. This six-member ensemble—Call, Louis, McFee, Hopper, Ciambotti, and Shine—signed with Vertigo Records and collaborated with producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange on the 1976 single "Chicken Funk" and the early 1977 album Unavailable. Later that year, McFee, Ciambotti, Hopper, and Shine (without Louis and Call) served as Elvis Costello's backing musicians on My Aim Is True. Due to contractual constraints, these players were not credited; promotional materials sometimes referred to Costello’s band as "The Shamrocks".

The Unavailable album was retitled Clover for its North American release. Shine departed in late 1977, with session drummer Tony Braunagel stepping in for the band's second 1977 album Love on the Wire, also produced by Lange who co-wrote several songs. Despite critical collaboration with Lange, neither of these albums achieved commercial success or chart placements.

During their late-1970s UK tours, Clover supported artists including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, and Graham Parker along with the Rumour.

After Clover

Following their split in 1978, members returned to the United States. Alex Call embarked on a solo path and penned hits for Huey Lewis and others; notably co-writing Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny" alongside guitarist Jim Keller. Huey Lewis and Sean Hopper formed Huey Lewis and the News, with Lange contributing to numerous hit tracks. John McFee co-founded Southern Pacific before joining The Doobie Brothers and participating in sessions for Elvis Costello. John Ciambotti worked as a session musician for Lucinda Williams, John Prine, and Carlene Carter prior to pursuing a career as a chiropractor in California. Micky Shine briefly joined Tommy Tutone but exited prior to recording "867-5309."

Carlene Carter covered Clover compositions "Love Is Gone" and "Mr. Moon," both written by Call, and later recorded "Ring of Fire" and "Too Proud" featuring McFee, Ciambotti, and Hopper.

Founding bassist Dr. John P. Ciambotti passed away on March 24, 2010, in Glendale, California after surgery for an abdominal aneurysm.

Reunions

In San Francisco on November 8, 2007, John McFee, John Ciambotti, and Sean Hopper reunited for two benefit performances supporting Elvis Costello. Pete Thomas played drums during these shows that raised funds for the Richard de Lone Special Housing Fund dedicated to Prader-Willi Syndrome.

In 2016, original members Alex Call, Mitch Howie, and John McFee began work on Homestead Redemption, which was released on July 17, 2018. This album includes twelve re-recorded tracks from Clover’s initial two Fantasy Records albums along with a new piece titled "Go Raise Hell Up in Heaven." Gia Ciambotti joined as an official fourth member providing backing and lead vocals in tribute to her late father. Guest appearances feature Huey Lewis, Sean Hopper, Pete Thomas, and Elvis Costello.

Original lineup

  • Alex Call – lead singer, guitarist
  • John McFee – guitarist, steel guitarist
  • John Ciambotti – bassist (deceased 2010)
  • Mitch Howie – drummer (departed circa 1971)

Subsequent members

  • Huey Lewis – harmonica player, vocalist
  • Jeff Porcaro – drummer
  • Sean Hopper – keyboardist
  • Marcus Grossman (also known as Marcus David) – drummer
  • Kirk Harwood – drummer
  • Micky Shine – drummer (passed away 2012)
  • Tony Braunagel – drummer
  • Kevin Wells – drummer
  • Daniel Lenard – drummer

Singles

  • "Wade In The Water" / "Stealin'" (Liberty #LBF 15341, UK; Fantasy #639, US) (1970)
  • "Shotgun" / "Wade In The Water" (America-Records/Fantasy #17016) (France, 1970)
  • "Come" / "Monopoly" (America-Records/Fantasy #M 20-174) (Spain, 1971)
  • "Summer's Here" / "Leavin' Is" (PAC Records) (unreleased, US, 1976)
  • "Chicken Funk" / "Show Me Your Love" (Vertigo #6059 157) (UK, 1976)
  • "I Lie Awake" / "Take Another Look" (Vertigo #6059 164) (UK, 1977)
  • "Love Love" / "Leavin' Is" (Vertigo #6059 171) (UK, 1977)
  • "Chain Gang" / "Streets Of London" (Vertigo #6059 175) (UK, 1977)
  • "Oh Señorita" / "Ain't Nobody" (Vertigo #6059 188) (UK, 1977)
  • "Take Another Look" / "Take Another Look" (Mercury #DJ-504-73935) (promo, US, 1977)
  • "Hearts Under Fire" / "Still Alive" (Mercury #73978) (US, 1977; peaked at No.129 in Record World, spring 1978)
  • "Hearts Under Fire" (edited version) / "Hearts Under Fire" (Mercury #DJ-538-73978) (promo, US, 1977)
  • "There Is No Substitute For Real Magic" (Vertigo #4277) (UK, 1977; promotional flexi disc featuring album excerpts from Unavailable)

Albums

Collaborations with Elvis Costello

Compilation releases

  • The Clover Chronicle (Fantasy, 1979)
  • The Best of Clover: An American Band in London (Mercury, 1986)
  • San Francisco Nights (Magnum Music, 1996; various artists compilation)
  • Live at The Paradiso (Sustainable Music, 2006)
  • The Sound City Sessions (Sonic Past Music, 2006)
  • Live Concert at Winterland – December 20, 1975 (Wolfgang's Vault, 2012; streaming audio only)
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